How human rights, supply chains and sustainable mobility can go hand in hand

In times of progressive climate change, customers, investors, and politicians expect one thing above all from automotive players: building convincing products that can boost the breakthrough of electromobility. But the need for rare earths for electric cars puts the spotlight on an important ethical issue: the risk that the valuable raw materials are mined under questionable or sometimes even precarious working conditions in the countries of origin. This leaves many companies with a major challenge to address: how can they drive zero-emission mobility while ensuring that human rights are respected along the supply chain?

Our moderator Yasmine Blair met two thought leaders who are decisively tackling this highly complex issue: Renata Jungo Brüngger, Member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and Mercedes-Benz AG, responsible for Integrity and Legal Affairs, and Phil Bloomer, Executive Director of the Business and Human Rights Resource Centre. In the new episode of Let’s talk Mercedes – the Mercedes-Benz Podcast – they discuss strategies to overcome issues and act responsibly towards society and the environment. They also talk about alternatives to cobalt and lithium – and explain why companies and external experts need to work together to make a sustainable supply chain for the automotive industry a reality.

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